Arimore

As Elara hid in the bushes she saw men in gray cloaks approaching. They had a creature with them. From what she could see through the brush she thought it might be a troll. “I remember stories of trolls in the North Woods but I thought they were just stories,” she thought, “Then again I thought dragons were just stories until a few weeks ago.” She lay silently not moving, barely breathing in the hope they would pass her by.

The troll stopped. He raised his head and sniffed the air. His voice was deep and gravelly as he announced, “I smell dragon,” he paused, “and something else, not sure,” he continued to sniff, stopped with eyes wide, “Magic!” he yelled, “I smell magic.”

Ravenstone was the leader of the Druids. She had powerful magic. There was a time when she used her power to renew life and keep peace between creatures but that was before Arimore came and devastated the North Woods. Her heart turned black as night with rage as she watched the bodies of her family and the creatures she so loved smolder in the aftermath of Arimore’s bloodlust. From that moment on she decided to do whatever it took to protect the occupants of the North Woods. None would enter her domain without her knowledge. None would leave without her permission. This was her home.

Ravenstone scanned the terrain for any signs of intruders. She saw the broken branches at the top of the trees, “Hmm…something large tried to land here,” she thought. She turned her head sharply at a sound from the eastern edge of the wood. She signaled her men to be still. She closed her eyes and waved her right hand in the air. The trees parted revealing a lone soldier. “Who are you and what do you want in my woods?” she asked.

“I am Rowan of Calithorne. I am looking for an entry into Mardock,” he knew his only chance at getting to Elara was to tell the truth, “King Andre’ of Mardock kidnapped our Queen. I was told there was an old entry on the north wall that led directly to the dungeon. I only come to these woods in an attempt to rescue my Queen. I did not mean to cause any harm or trouble.”

“Rowan of Calithorne,” Ravenstone bowed her head, “honesty becomes you. I believe you are telling the truth for I know there once was a passage in the north wall. It is not far from here but I fear your Queen is not there.”

“I don’t understand,” Rowan stated.

“Look to the trees. The upper branches are broken. I believe there is a dragon afoot. If your Queen escaped the Mardocians I fear she may be the captive of one much worse than King Andre’” She stepped toward the wall, “The passage that has been sealed for many years stands open. From the look of it magic opened the passage.”

“Magic?” Rowan asked, “How can you tell?”

“Look at the opening,” she placed her hand on the wall, “it was opened from inside with more force than man or beast could muster. Yes, powerful magic opened this wall, magic like I have not seen in many years. There was only one that I know had this kind of power.”

“You can tell how powerful magic is by touching the stone?”

“Magic leaves something behind,” she said, “Rowan, I have allowed you this time in my woods because you did not try to deceive me but now that you have your answer it is time for you to go.”

“But I don’t have an answer,” Rowan objected, “in fact I only have more questions.”

Leaves began to rustle in the bushes. Elara rose from her hiding place. Ravenstone turned sharply and held out her hand. “Wait,” Elara yelled, “Please, I am Elara, Queen of Calithorne.” She brushed off her clothes and walked toward Rowan.

“Elara, are you alright?” Rowan asked.

“I think so,” she replied.

“Stop right there,” Ravenstone commanded. She walked up to Elara and stared into her eyes, “How did you get here?”

“I was in the dungeon. Prince Mason helped me escape but there was a blast in the tunnel and I was thrown. I must have landed there in the bushes.” She paused and looked toward the tunnel, “Prince Mason, do you see him anywhere? He was standing right behind me.”

“You do not lie well,” Ravenstone replied, “Why are you in my woods?”

“Truly, Prince Mason led me through a tunnel in the dungeon. He was trying to help me escape.”

“And why would he want to free his captive?” she queried.

“I was being held captive by King Andre’. He wants to start a war with Calithorne but Prince Mason knows that we are a peaceful people and we have done nothing to provoke a war. He was taking a stand against his father.”

“Truth suits you much better young Queen,” Ravenstone began, “Still there is something about you,” she again stared into Elara’s eyes, “I sense magic in you. You have been with the dragon.”

“Arimore is my friend.”

A dark shadow fell across the woods, “Arimore!” Ravenstone yelled at the sky. She grabbed the Queen, “Take him as well,” she ordered her men to grab Rowan and they vanished into the wood.

“Where are you taking us?” Elara asked.

“Where the dragon cannot reach,” Ravenstone replied.

They moved swiftly through the woods. They began to travel down a steep incline to a path that led into a narrow ravine. At the end there was a series of caves. They entered the large opening at the end of the ravine and walked in darkness until they could no longer see the light of the opening.

Ravenstone flashed a light from her hands. A small glowing orb floated in front of them guiding them to an underground city.

“It’s beautiful,” Elara said.

“This is our home,” Ravenstone said with sadness in her voice, “When Arimore destroyed most of our home and land we roamed the wood in fear for many years. The priests found this place and led what remained of our people here. We built this city as a refuge, a place we could be safe from his bloodlust.”

Elara had a tear in her eye as she turned to Ravenstone, “Over the past few weeks I have heard tales of Arimore first from Prince Mason and now from you that are very different from what I was told as a child. In my land he was known as a friend, the beast that saved my father’s life. I did not know that he caused so much suffering.”

“A dragon is a magical beast child,” Ravenstone added, “They can be your greatest ally or your worst foe. They can also go from being a creature of peace to one of destruction in the blink of an eye. They cannot be trusted.” Ravenstone led Elara and Rowan to a small tent, “Rest here and I will have food brought to you. We will speak more after you have rested.”

Ravenstone’s words echoed in Elara’s mind. This was the second time she had been warned of how a dragon can suddenly turn. She wondered if Sacha would do the same. She sat silently and ate with Rowan.

After a few moments Rowan broke the silence, “Are you alright?” he asked.

“Physically, yes.” Elara thought for a moment and then continued, “Rowan, I don’t understand something. I know that Arimore destroyed much of Mardock because of the evil that he saw in their hearts but Druids are a peaceful people. It doesn’t make sense to me. Why would he harm them?”

“I wish I had an answer for you but I honestly don’t know,” Rowan was as confused as she was, “What do you know of Druids?”

“Druids are a people of the land. They believe that the earth is their mother and that she provides for them. They protect the creatures of the forest because they believe they are also children of the earth,” she began, “They are also magical beings. They each have a specific magical function, each a part of a whole. One being amongst each tribe holds great magic, Ravenstone for this tribe. It is the leader’s job to protect the tribe. Ravenstone cannot be faulted for her actions. She is fulfilling the task assigned to her as protector.”

“You don’t think she was their leader when Arimore burned them out do you?”

“Who can say?”

“She doesn’t look old enough to have even been born yet.”

“We Druids don’t age like humans,” Ravenstone poked her head in the tent, “I was born but I was not High Priestess of the Druid clan, that was my mother. When she died in the great attack I was appointed High Priestess in her place. I was very young, not much more than a child,” she reminisced, “when the Priests brought us here. They made sure the people were safe then they led me deep into the mountain,” she pointed to a small path at the rear of the cavern, “there I was taught the magic of the earth. There you must go young dragoness”

“Dragoness?” Her choice of words confused Elara.

“You truly do not know who you are do you?”

“I am Elara, Queen of Calithorne.” She replied.

“You are Elara, daughter of Julianna. Your mother gave birth to two. You were one. The other lie dormant for many years, a sister,” she searched Elara’s heart, “I can see you are starting to understand. I also see that she is no longer dormant. When we first met I told you that you have great magic in you and you do. You hold the magic of the sky but in order to fulfill your destiny you must also harness the magic of the earth. Only then can you unite the two. Only then can you become the one the prophesy foretold of, the peacemaker.”

“If I am like Sacha…”

Ravenstone interrupted, “Sacha, protector of mankind, very good choice.”

“If I am like her why did I not change?”

“Because you were chosen child. It was told long ago about one that would come and united earth and sky. For many years it was thought to be a fable but when I first saw you I knew it was true. A young woman born of man and dragon would come forth and enter the earth. There she would gain the power of earth and unite it with the power of sky. She would hold within her grasp the greatest power known to man and beast. She alone would hold the ability to unite earth and sky bringing peace to a war torn land.” Ravenstone stood and reached her hand out to Elara, “Come and I will show you where your journey begins.”

“I’m coming with you,” Rowan stood.

“No Rowan,” Ravenstone stopped him, “you are a loyal friend but this is a journey she must make alone. Even I cannot go with her.”

“She’s right,” Elara reassured, “I must go alone.” Elara stepped forward then paused and turned to Ravenstone, “Will you return Rowan to his army. They need his leadership.”

“I will.”

“Rowan, please make sure that Mason is alright. Speak not of my journey; just assure the people that I am well and that I will return. Bring them home safely.”

“Worry not my Queen. I will.”

Elara began her journey down the long dark path at the back of the Druid cavern. The deeper she descended into the earth, the more she could feel its power. She stopped at a place where the path narrowed and placed one hand on each wall. The walls seemed to pulsate with life. She turned back and looked up the path but could no longer see the entrance. She took a deep breath and continued walking.

“Why am I here?” she asked aloud, “What have you to teach me?”

“Come further child,” a voice echoed from the passage ahead.

Elara walked on toward the origin of the voice. Deeper and deeper into the earth she trod. There seemed no end to the pass. She began to tire. “I need to rest,” she said.

“You are almost here,” the voice replied. It was a soft soothing voice like that of a mother encouraging a young child.

Elara continued and soon came upon a large cavernous room. She stood at awe of its size. The walls had a warm golden glow, the floors were carpeted with soft mossy grass and there was no roof, it was open to the sky. She looked up and saw the moon and twinkling stars. “It’s beautiful,” she said.

“Welcome chosen one,” a woman stepped from the shadows, “I am Arisbeth, your guide. The sky is already within you. It is time for the earth to take its place.”

Elara bowed her head, “What must I do?”

“Sit here and rest,” Arisbeth led her to a place at the center of the room. Elara sat and waited for her instruction. Arisbeth held out a cup, “Here, you must be thirsty,” she said, “drink.”

Elara took the cup and drank deeply of its content. The nectar within was sweet and quenched her thirst at the first taste. She laid back on the soft grass and stared at the sky. She noticed Arisbeth taking her hand as she began to drift. The room began to close about her and she felt afraid. “Do not fear the earth child,” Arisbeth’s soft voice soothed her, “it is here to teach you.”

The cool earth brushed over her skin, caressing her like a lover. She felt its life flow through her and breathed deeply as it began to penetrate her skin. The power was coursing through her body like her life’s blood. She struggled to breath and Arisbeth grabbed her hand tightly, “Don’t fight it. Let it become a part of you.” She said.

Suddenly she snapped her eyes open and saw the sky above. The room was empty, “Arisbeth?” she called, “Are you here?”

“I am always here child,” she replied, “but you must go. It is time to fulfill your destiny. Elara, you must remember wherever there is great power there will be great temptation. Be wary for there will be many traps laid for you. Chose each step wisely.”

“Will you come with me?” she asked.

“I must remain here,” Arisbeth ran her hand through Elara’s hair, “but I will always be with you.”

Elara nodded and began her trek back to the Druid camp. After a long and arduous climb she emerged from the passage. Her eyes glowed a rich crimson then returned to a bright golden glow. She looked around the camp and saw for the first time all the beings that lived there from the smallest ant to the great Trolls. She smiled as Ravenstone approached and knelt before her.

“Please stand,” she said extending a hand to Ravenstone, “it is I who should bow to you. You have led your people and protected them all these years. You have looked after all of the creatures of the earth from the smallest to the largest.” She looked at the giant Troll standing behind Ravenstone and smiled, “You have done well. Tell me did you get Rowan safely back to his troops?”

“Yes, they are safely back in Calithorne awaiting your return.”

“Back in Calithorne already, but I have only been gone a few hours.”

“You have been gone longer than you realize,” Ravenstone smiled. “When I took my walk I was gone three days. It only felt like an hour. You my dear have been over a week.”

“A week?!” Elara couldn’t believe it. “What of Mason and the King?”

“I returned to the troops with Rowan to find them waiting with Arimore. I spoke with the dragon for I knew he was searching for you. Mason and his men overthrew the King but it was not without cost. Many men lost their lives. The King is now being held prisoner in Calithorne. Mason and Rowan thought it wise not to keep him in Mardock for fear of a coup by those still loyal to him. In the meantime Mason has returned to Mardock and been crowned King. If Mason follows in his father’s footsteps and allows the power to go to his head the people of Mardock may not be any better off and all those men would have lost their lives in vain.”

“Mason is a good man, Ravenstone,” Elara reassured, “I have seen his heart. He will lead with kindness and compassion for his people.”

“I hope you are right but power can change people in ways you wouldn’t think possible,” Ravenstone placed her hand on Elara’s shoulder, “You would be wise to remember that.”

“Arisbeth warned me to be careful.”

“Arisbeth? She was your guide?”

“Yes, why?”

“Arisbeth is the earth itself. If she took form to be your guide you truly must be the one. Tell me Elara, do you now understand who you are?”

“I do. She explained it all to me.” Suddenly she remembered her charge, “Sacha, is she safe?”

“She is with Arimore,” Ravenstone reassured her, “When she left you she flew to Mount Crystos and he hid her in his den. She will remain there until you call for her.”